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Theaetetus
Theaet. Let us agree to all that; but the sophist has by this time appeared to be so many things that I am at a loss to know what in the world to say he really is, with any assurance that I am speaking the truth.
Stranger
Str. No wonder you are at a loss. But it is fair to suppose that by this time he is still more at a loss to know how he can any longer elude our argument; for the proverb is right which says it is not easy to escape all the wrestler’s grips. So now we must attack him with redoubled vigor.
Theaetetus
Theaet. You are right.
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Stranger
Str. First, then, let us stop to take breath and while we are resting let us count up the number of forms in which the sophist has appeared to us. First, I believe, he was found to be a paid hunter after the young and wealthy.
Stranger
Str. And secondly a kind of merchant in articles of knowledge for the soul.
Theaetetus
Theaet. Certainly.
Stranger
Str. And thirdly did he not turn up as a retailer of these same articles of knowledge?
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Theaetetus
Theaet. Yes, and fourthly we found he was a seller of his own productions of knowledge.
Stranger
Str. Your memory is good; but I will try to recall the fifth case myself. He was an athlete in contests of words, who had taken for his own the art of disputation.
Theaetetus
Theaet. Yes, he was.
Stranger
Str. The sixth case was doubtful, but nevertheless we agreed to consider him a purger of souls, who removes opinions that obstruct learning.
Theaetetus
Theaet. Very true.
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